I recently read a blog on this very topic, placebo buttons. (http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/02/10/placebo-buttons/) In this blog they also talk about dummy thermostats put in offices. The workers adjust the thermostats and become satisfied that they have control over the temperature in the office, but the thermostats do not actually function.
Placebo buttons reveal two things about people: that we are satisfied when we are in control of our surroundings, and that our perception is our reality. Therefore, if we perceive we are in control, whether or not we actually are, we will be satisfied.
I’ve never been outraged by the nonfunctioning buttons. Pedestrians should not have control over the traffic flow. Employees should not be able to crank up the heat on a bill the employer has to pay. Personally I think it is brilliant. Nobody wants to face the reality that the world does not revolve around them. With placebo buttons, you don’t have to. You can go on thinking you’re in control of things without costing other people all kinds of time and money.
I agree with Michael Bierut’s comments on the terror-alert levels. Perhaps these alerts are to give the public the impression of preparedness. People feel safer from a terrorist attack if they believe that the government is prepared for it or saw it coming. I do not believe this can be compared to non-functioning crosswalk buttons, however. Allowing people to lie to themselves about the effectiveness of a crosswalk button is harmless.Leading an entire country to believe that their government is prepared for a terrorist attack, whether or not it is, could be dangerous.
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